Reminds Clergy of All Religions of their Role to Stand for Peace and Justice and

Calls Pastors to Pray for the Peace of Oakland as Doves Are Released.

Oakland, CA- The Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC) gathers on Veterans’ Day November 11, 2011 (9:30 a.m.) today at the Cathedral of Christ the Light Church in Oakland with Mayor Jean Quan, Dr. James A. Forbes, who in 1989 was the first person of color to head the famed Riverside Church, built in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. known as a “stronghold for activism and political debate,” Michael Livingston, Director of the National Council of Churches “Fighting Poverty With Faith” Initiative, and religious leaders from all faiths to call for justice and peace in Oakland.

“We can’t thank the Diocese of Oakland enough for their support of this breakfast as we gather all religions in the first Cathedral built in the 21st Century,” said Reverend Greggory L. Brown Senior Pastor of Miracles of Faith Lutheran Church in Oakland and President of the NCIC Board of Directors. “When the violence broke out at Occupy Oakland it became evident that our breakfast which was planned to thank, inspire and encourage clergy, must take on the greater role of reminding religious leaders of our great role to stand for justice, pray for peace and to take action as peacemakers,” said Reverend Brown.

Mayor Jean Quan will be on hand to bring a proclamation that exhorts the Northern California Interreligious Conference for its over 110 year legacy of working for justice and peace. It notes NCIC’s call for justice in deaths of young people of Oakland including Brandon Morris, Oscar Grant, Darnell Barr and others; and commends religious leaders for their often unsung contributions and their impact for the good of society.

Dr. James A. Forbes, who is called the “Dean of Clergy” and founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation will be the keynote speaker at the event. Michael Livingston, as Director of “Fighting Poverty With Faith” launched the second nationwide “Food Stamp Challenge” at Congress to live on $31.50 a week, will be a special guest. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who took on the “Food Stamp Challenge” which ends just as the “All Religious Pastors Thanksgiving Breakfast” begins, is an invited guest. Other highlights include Piano Virtuoso Ricardo Scales’ performance and the release of doves heavenward as prayers from different religions are spoken.

“On the backdrop of Veteran’s Day, when we commend soldiers for their service to our country and with the “Food Stamp Challenge” just ending, to hear from Dr. Forbes, who is the Emeritus Pastor of Riverside Church, the tallest church in America and the 24th tallest church in the world, we are surrounded by symbolism that should spur us on to call ourselves and our nation to moral excellence,” said Phil Lawson, Director of Housing East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO) and NCIC board member. “We will not only speak peace in the walls of the cathedral, but we will ‘act peace’ by adjourning and going to the Occupy Oakland site to be with the people and perform our calling.”

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About Northern California Interreligious Conference

The Northern California Interreligious Conference is incorporated as a nonprofit in the State of California to advocate for Human Rights and present a unified voice of its members to speak truth to power and to inform the public of its responsibility to a higher calling of morality, service to mankind and ethics with respect of all religious faiths.

Established in 1914, NCIC seeks to create and sustain in Northern California an association of local and regional denominations, religious bodies, congregations, ecumenical and interfaith councils, faith-based advocacy organizations, and individuals of diverse religious traditions and backgrounds who share a common commitment to a vision of community that is based on peace, justice and the care of creation.NCIC HONORED.